TAKE ME TO: KRUGER BIRDING & WILDLIFE CHALLENGE - Rockjumper Birding Tours

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TAKE ME TO: KRUGER BIRDING & WILDLIFE CHALLENGE - Rockjumper Birding Tours
KRUGER BIRDING & WILDLIFE CHALLENGE
In support of the White-winged Flufftail

6th to 15th February 2019 (10 days)

                                                Bateleur by Marius Coetzee

TAKE ME TO:

Challenge Overview & Map .  . 2

The Camps in Detail  .  .  .  .  .  3

Questions & Answers  .  .  .  . 10

Important Notes  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 11

KRUGER BIRDING & WILDLIFE CHALLENGE ITINERARY                                1
                                                     African Elephant by Adam Riley
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CHALLENGE OVERVIEW & MAP
This unique and fun birding and wildlife challenge provides the opportunity to explore the world-famous Kruger National Park in
north-eastern South Africa, from its remote north to its vast south. Participants will not only get to experience amazing birding and
wildlife viewing, but will also be assisting in saving a special bird from imminent extinction. All proceeds raised will go directly to
BirdLife South Africa for vital research and conservation work to protect one of Africa’s, and indeed the world’s, most endangered
and little-known species – the White-winged Flufftail. Rockjumper Birding Tours has volunteered its resources and expertise to
arrange and coordinate this event and will not be benefitting financially from it.

Kruger National Park is one of Africa’s most famous, oldest, largest and magnificent reserves, and will play host to this
birding and wildlife challenge during February 2019. In total, a maximum of 21 teams will take part in what will be a light-
hearted, exciting competition where teams explore Kruger National Park from top to bottom, recording all the species of
birds and mammals they encounter over a 9-day period. Each team of up to 9 participants will have its own open safari
vehicle, professional safari driver-guide and experienced volunteer birding leader. Each species of bird and mammal has
been allocated points based on the difficulty of locating the species, and the team with the highest score at the end of the 9
days will be crowned the Birding & Wildlife Champions of Kruger. During the challenge, each team will be exploring the entire
length of Kruger – from Berg-en-Dal Camp in the south to Punda Maria in the north. In total, 6 camps will be used, the others
being Skukuza, Olifants, Shingwedzi and Mopani – the last mentioned where all the teams will gather for an epic final night
of festivities and prize-giving.

The Kruger list stands at over 500 species of birds, and the park is also renowned for its big game and other mammalian
fauna (over 150 species recorded to date). This is one of the few places on the planet where iconic African mammals such as
Lion, Leopard, Cheetah, African Wild Dog, African Elephant, African Buffalo and White Rhinoceros can still be found in healthy
numbers. There is also a huge variety of other mammals, including Roan Antelope, Hippopotamus, Black Rhinoceros, African
Civet, Honey Badger, Serval and Cape Porcupine.

Participants will either meet in Johannesburg at
8am on the 6th of February or at one of Kruger’s                                       Punda Maria

entry gates, if preferred. The challenge count will
officially kick-off at 3pm on the 6th of February,                                                                     MOZAMBIQUE
and will end at 5pm on the 14th of February. Each                                               Shingwedzi
team can tally species recorded from the time
the camps officially open until they close (sunrise
to sunset) and 2 night drives will also be allowed                                                             Limpopo
                                                                                              Mopani           National
per team (cost included in the challenge fee).                                                                   Park

                                                                                             Kruger
                                                                                             National
                                                                                              Park
All teams will be doing a combination of the
                                                                                                                 Olifants
following camps: On the final night all teams will
be based at Mopani for a night of festivities and
                                                               SOUTH AFRICA
prize-giving.

BERG-EN-DAL                          2 Nights

SKUKUZA		                            1 Night

OLIFANTS		                           2 Nights
                                                                                                     Skukuza
SHINGWEDZI		                         1 Night

PUNDA MARIA                          2 Nights

MOPANI		                             1 Night                                                     Berg-en-Dal

KRUGER BIRDING & WILDLIFE CHALLENGE ITINERARY                                                                                        2
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Larger than several European countries and US States, this vast, pristine park, declared in 1898 by President Kruger of
                                the Transvaal Republic, is home to a variety of different habitat types. These range from acacia-dominated bushveld to
                                gallery forest along the rivers and mopane woodland in the north. Associated with these habitats is an extraordinary volume
                                of birds, and our time in the park is likely to produce a huge variety that could include Arnott’s Chat, Brown-necked and
                                Brown-headed Parrots, Dickinson’s Kestrel, Green-capped Eremomela, Thick-billed Cuckoo, Mosque Swallow, White-breasted
                                Cuckooshrike, Racket-tailed Roller, Bronze-winged Courser, Stierling’s Wren-Warbler, Olive-tree, Icterine and River Warblers,
                                Thrush Nightingale, Retz’s Helmetshrike, African Barred Owlet, Narina Trogon, Black-throated Wattle-eye, Lemon-breasted
                                Canary, Mottled and Böhm’s Spinetails, Senegal and White-crowned Lapwings, Monotonous and Dusky Larks, Bearded
                                Scrub Robin, African Finfoot, Meves’s Starling, Pallid
                                and Montagu’s Harriers, Steppe and Lesser Spotted
                                Eagles, Amur Falcon, Eurasian Hobby, Bushveld Pipit,
                                Coqui Francolin, Harlequin Quail, Corn Crake, Gorgeous
                                Bushshrike, Eastern Nicator, Eurasian Golden Oriole,
                                Yellow-billed Oxpecker and Tropical Boubou. Kruger is

                                                                                                                                                               Dark Chanting Goshawk by Markus Lilje
                                also famous for producing national and regional rarities,
                                with species such as Egyptian Vulture, African Skimmer,
                                Orange-winged Pytilia, Northern Wheatear, Southern
                                Hyliota, Broad-tailed Paradise Whydah, Miombo Blue-
                                eared Starling, Madagascan Cuckoo, Basra Reed
                                Warbler, Sooty Falcon and Collared Palm Thrush all
                                being recorded in the past.

                                THE CAMPS IN DETAIL
                                BERG-EN-DAL         2 NIGHTS

                                This is one of Kruger’s southernmost camps, and it offers up a good variety of habitat to explore. To the east, the Crocodile
                                River and its associated thickets and riverine vegetation can be accessed from Berg-en-Dal; while the camp is surrounded
                                by numerous rocky outcrops, which in turn host a few unique species that can be tricky to locate elsewhere in the park. The
                                camp also offers access to the hills around Pretoriuskop – another option for additional species that are unlikely to be seen
                                elsewhere.

                                                                                              Berg-en-Dal is a large camp and offers up some excellent
                                                                                              general bushveld birding, and typical species such as Magpie
                                                                                              Shrike, Orange-breasted Bushshrike, Chinspot Batis, Golden-
                                                                                              breasted Bunting, Blue Waxbill, Green-winged Pytilia, Yellow-
                                                                                              fronted Canary, Black-crowned Tchagra, Black-backed
                                                                                              Puffback, Long-billed Crombec, ubiquitous Rattling Cisticola
                                                                                              and Southern Black Tit are common and easy to find. The
                                                                                              diminutive Pearl-spotted Owlet – a diurnal owl with a lovely,
                                                                                              characteristic call – is also a regular in this area, and wherever
                                                                                              present or calling it never fails to attract the attention of
                                                                                              numerous birds. Inside the camp is a small dam, which
                                                                                              occasionally produces some interesting species: even White-
                                                                                              backed Night Heron and African Finfoot have been recorded
                                                                                              before. The thick woodlands surrounding Berg-en-Dal can be
Diederik Cuckoo by Adam Riley

                                                                                              one of the best places in the park to search for the uncommon
                                                                                              Stierling’s Wren-Warbler; while raptors are also regularly
                                                                                              recorded, with Dark Chanting Goshawk often occurring here
                                                                                              at a higher density than elsewhere in the park. It is also a very
                                                                                              good area for Brown Snake, African Hawk-, Wahlberg’s and

                         KRUGER BIRDING & WILDLIFE CHALLENGE ITINERARY                                                                                        3
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Martial Eagles; while Gabar Goshawk and Lizard Buzzard are also frequently seen. The riverine zones and thickets associated
                          with the Crocodile River can often be a good place to try for the uncommon African Barred Owlet; while many other common
                          species, including Emerald-spotted Wood Dove, Jacobin, Levaillant’s, Klaas’ and Diederik Cuckoos, Burchell’s Coucal, Little
                          Bee-eater, Brown-hooded and Woodland Kingfishers, Red-breasted
                          Swallow, Willow Warbler, Southern Black, Ashy, Spotted and Pale
                          Flycatchers, Black Cuckooshrike, Red-faced Cisticola, Black-headed
                          Oriole, Black-collared Barbet, Red-faced Mousebird and Green Wood
                          Hoopoe, can also be found.

                          Over towards Pretoriuskop, the woodland and habitat change a little,
                          and it is well worth spending some time birding this area if time allows.
                          There are two loops, in particular, that take you very close to some
                          rocky outcrops that are good for finding Mocking Cliff Chat, Striped
                          Pipit, Croaking and Lazy Cisticolas, Red-winged Starling, the near-
                          endemic White-throated Robin-Chat, Cinnamon-breasted Bunting and
                          even Gorgeous Bushshrike in the dense thickets that are associated
                          with the outcrops. Pretoriuskop Camp is situated in a zone of broad-
                          leaved woodland, which can produce some interesting species such as

                                                                                                                                                              Southern Ground Hornbill by Adam Riley
                          Green-capped and Yellow-bellied Eremomelas, the tiny Grey Penduline
                          Tit, Bushveld Pipit, Flappet Lark, Groundscraper Thrush, Yellow-
                          throated Petronia, Striped Kingfisher and Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird.
                          The area is also very good for a variety of sunbirds, and common
                          species include White-bellied, Marico and Scarlet-chested; while this
                          is one of the few areas of the park where Amethyst Sunbird can also
                          sometimes be found.

                          SKUKUZA        1 NIGHT

                          This camp is one of the most popular in all of Kruger, and is also the largest. The vast campgrounds themselves provide great
                          birding and easy access to excellent riverine thicket and woodland dominated by large Sycamore Figs and Sausage Trees,
                          which is often a magnet for birds. Skukuza is located on the Sabi River, and there is an excellent network of roads that allow
                                                                                               for plenty of quality access to the river and its associated
                                                                                               woodland, both east and west of the camp. Much of the
                                                                                               surrounding woodland is fairly dense in nature, even away
                                                                                             from the river itself.

                                                                                             Skukuza offers excellent chances at finding the majestic
                                                                                             Southern Ground Hornbill, which is often seen striding
                                                                                             around in small groups, and we will certainly be treated
                                                                                             to many encounters with the gaudy Lilac-breasted Roller.
                                                                                             Raptors are also numerous in this area, and we will no doubt
                                                                                             enjoy sightings of the striking Bateleur, as well as Tawny
                                                                                             and Wahlberg’s Eagles, Hooded, White-headed, White-
                                                                                             backed and huge Lappet-faced Vultures, and the handsome
                                                                                             African Fish Eagle; while other possibilities include Shikra,
                                                                                             Lizard Buzzard, Gabar and Dark Chanting Goshawks, the
                                                                                             scarce but extremely attractive African Cuckoo-Hawk,
                                                                                             Black-chested and Brown Snake Eagles, Lesser Spotted,
                                                                                             Steppe, African Crowned and Booted Eagles, African Hawk-
Leopard by Markus Lilje

                                                                                             Eagle and African Harrier-Hawk.

                                                                                             This area is also famous for regular sightings of the elusive
                                                                                             African Wild Dog; while we also stand an excellent chance

                    KRUGER BIRDING & WILDLIFE CHALLENGE ITINERARY                                                                                        4
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Lilac-breasted Roller by Rich Lindie

                                   of finding the endangered White Rhinoceros and, with exceptional luck, its rarer cousin, the Black Rhinoceros. This is also one
                                   of the best areas in the park to see the crepuscular Leopard – certainly one of the world’s best-looking cats! In addition, we
                                   should encounter Lion, Spotted Hyena, Black-backed Jackal, large herds of African Elephant lounging in the Sabi River, herds
                                   of African Buffalo, Waterbuck, the beautiful Bushbuck and pods of Hippopotamus. The persistent troops of playful Chacma
                                   Baboons and Vervets will keep us entertained during the heat of the day. The nocturnal Greater Galago is common in the fig
                                   trees inside the camp itself.

                                   Scouring the riverine woodland and thickets along the Sabi River, we hope to encounter White-fronted Bee-eater, Crowned
                                   Hornbill, Golden-tailed, Bearded and Cardinal Woodpeckers, Ashy Flycatcher, Grey Tit-Flycatcher, gorgeous White-browed
                                   and Red-capped Robin-Chats, Terrestrial Brownbul, Yellow-bellied and Sombre Greenbuls, African, Jameson’s and Red-billed
                                   Firefinches, superb Green-winged Pytilia, Bronze Mannikin, Common Waxbill, Pin-tailed Whydah, Red-faced Cisticola and
                                   Southern Boubou. The large riparian trees lining the rivers provide perfect nesting sites for weavers, which are extremely well
                                   represented in the park, and include Southern and Lesser Masked, Village, Spectacled and Thick-billed. Furthermore, we will
                                   endeavour to see various species of brightly coloured bee-eaters, kingfishers, rollers and hornbills, along with the occasional
                                   Pearl-spotted Owlet. The Sabi River and nearby wetlands also harbour a number of exciting water-associated birds, and
                                                                                            we will be on the lookout for the massive Goliath Heron, stately and
                                                                                            threatened Saddle-billed Stork, as well as the more common Woolly-
                                                                                            necked and Yellow-billed Storks, African Spoonbill, Striated Heron,
                                                                                            the unique and monotypic Hamerkop, African Black Duck, Wire-tailed
                                                                                            and Grey-rumped Swallows, African Pied Wagtail, White-crowned
                                                                                            Lapwing, Common Greenshank, Wood Sandpiper, Giant, the delightful
                                                                                            Malachite and occasionally Half-collared Kingfishers and, if we are
                                                                                            lucky, the rare African Finfoot or unpredictable Greater Painted-snipe.

                                                                                           Time spent birding in Skukuza Camp will almost certainly produce
                                                                                           African Green Pigeon, with its lovely, mournful, liquid call; while the
                                                                                           thickets in camp are excellent for Bearded Scrub Robin and White-
                                                                                           browed and Red-capped Robin-Chats. Other species that are regularly
White Rhinoceros by Markus Lilje

                                                                                           seen in or from the camp include the tiny Little Sparrowhawk, African
                                                                                           Goshawk, Water Thick-knee, gaudy Purple-crested Turaco, Trumpeter
                                                                                           Hornbill, Black-headed Oriole, the showy African Paradise Flycatcher,
                                                                                           Arrow-marked Babbler, Yellow-breasted Apalis, Green-backed
                                                                                           Camaroptera, iridescent Collared, Marico, White-bellied and Scarlet-
                                                                                           chested Sunbirds and the vocal Black-collared and Crested Barbets.

                               KRUGER BIRDING & WILDLIFE CHALLENGE ITINERARY                                                                                               5
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Noisy flocks of White-crested Helmetshrike are regularly encountered, and we will also be on the lookout for the much rarer
                                Retz’s Helmetshrike, along with its seldom-seen host, the rare and much sought-after Thick-billed Cuckoo. In addition, we will
                                keep a lookout for the amazing selection of migrant cuckoos that visit the park in summer, including African, Common, Red-
                                chested, Diederik, Klaas’s, Levaillant’s and Jacobin Cuckoos, as well as the scarce Great Spotted Cuckoo.

                                At Skukuza, there will also be an opportunity to do a night drive. Success
                                on these night drives varies greatly, but the list of possibilities is rather
                                impressive and includes a good number of owls and nightjars, such
                                as Spotted and Verreaux’s Eagle-Owls, African Scops Owl, Southern
                                White-faced Owl and Square-tailed, European and Fiery-necked
                                Nightjars and Bronze-winged Courser. On the mammal front, African
                                Civet, both Common and Central African Large-spotted Genets, Side-
                                striped Jackal, the beautiful Serval, Southern Lesser Galago, White-
                                tailed Mongoose, African Savannah Hare, the incomparable Cape
                                Porcupine and Spotted Hyena – besides the Big 5 – are all possible!

                                OLIFANTS 2 NIGHTS

                                                                                                                                                                      Southern White-faced Owl by Adam Riley
                                This beautiful camp is situated in the central part of Kruger, and is set
                                on top of a hill with splendid views of the Olifants River below. Being
                                centrally located has numerous benefits, as a wide variety of habitats
                                can be accessed, and all teams will have two nights at this camp.
                                Olifants is situated on the southern edge of the widely distributed
                                mopane woodland. While mopane as a vegetation type doesn’t hold
                                a huge variety of species, it does have a few specials. The Olifants area offers excellent opportunities to venture south onto
                                the open grassy plains and sparsely-vegetated woodlands in the Satara area; while time can also be spent exploring the
                                denser bush country associated with the Olifants River and the mopane woodlands to the north of the camp. Further north
                                of Olifants is the Letaba River, which is another area well worth exploring. The area has some lovely thickets and tall riverine
                                habitat, including Letaba Camp, which can be especially productive.

                                Olifants Camp itself is conveniently located and is an excellent place to see Southern Yellow-billed and Southern Red-billed
                                Hornbills, Bennett’s Woodpecker, African Hoopoe, Grey-headed and Orange-breasted Bushshrikes, Red-headed Weaver, Red-
                                billed Buffalo Weaver, Burchell’s Starling, Mourning Collared Dove and Brown-headed Parrot, amongst many others.

                                To the south of Olifants, the rich bushveld and grasslands are particularly productive for a number of special species. These
                                include Kori Bustard – the world’s heaviest flying bird, the magnificent Martial Eagle, Bateleur, Common Ostrich, Marabou
                                                                                                     Stork and the impressive Secretarybird – belonging to
                                                                                                     a monotypic family, and one of the world’s great avian
                                                                                                     gems. Further specialities we will search for in the
                                                                                                          woodland areas include the lovely Orange-breasted and
                                                                                                          Grey-headed Bushshrikes, African Grey Hornbill, Lesser
                                                                                                          Grey, Red-backed, Southern White-crowned and Magpie
                                                                                                          Shrikes, Red-billed Oxpecker riding on the backs of big
                                                                                                          game, Red-crested Korhaan, Southern Black Tit, noisy
                                                                                                          Green Wood Hoopoe, Common Scimitarbill, Greater
                                                                                                          and Lesser Honeyguides, Acacia Pied Barbet, Yellow-
                                                                                                          fronted Tinkerbird, Sabota Lark, Mosque Swallow, Black
                                                                                                          Cuckooshrike, Kurrichane and Groundscraper Thrushes,
Martial Eagle by Markus Lilje

                                                                                                          eye-catching White-throated Robin-Chat, melodious
                                                                                                          White-browed Scrub Robin, Burnt-necked and Yellow-
                                                                                                          bellied Eremomelas, Black-crowned and Brown-crowned
                                                                                                          Tchagras, Brubru, dazzling Violet-backed Starling, White-
                                                                                                          winged Widowbird and Golden-breasted Bunting.

                            KRUGER BIRDING & WILDLIFE CHALLENGE ITINERARY                                                                                        6
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Secretarybird by Adam Riley

                                 In the expansive grasslands, we will seek out the bold Black-bellied Bustard, Crested and the rare Shelley’s and Coqui
                                 Francolins, Swainson’s and Natal Spurfowls, Rufous-naped Lark, Chestnut-backed Sparrow-Lark, European and Purple
                                 Rollers, Yellow-throated Longclaw and, with luck, the erratic and nomadic Temminck’s Courser, as well as Crowned and the
                                 scarce Senegal Lapwings. This time of the year can also be good for Harlequin Quail and Kurrichane (Small) Buttonquail;
                                 while, sometimes, species such as African and Corn Crakes can also be found in the moist grasslands. It is also during mid
                                 to late summer when huge flocks of Red-billed Quelea breed in this area. Seeing flocks of these avian locusts filling the sky
                                 or descending on a waterhole is an incredible sight, and their irruptions usually also bring about additional interest in the
                                 form of Steppe and Lesser Spotted Eagles. It is also during this time of the year when termite alate irruptions take place,
                                 sparking the interest of the afore-mentioned raptors, as well as Amur and occasionally Red-footed Falcons, Lesser Kestrel
                                 and Eurasian Hobby. Additional summer visitors to these grasslands include the scarce Pallid and Montagu’s Harriers. In the
                                 late afternoon, pairs of boldly-patterned and crepuscular Double-banded Sandgrouse come to the edges of the road to feed,
                                 before making their way down to watering holes at dusk to drink.

                                                                                                    The sweet grasses in the Satara area are, of course, also
                                                                                                    excellent for large herds of grazing mammals, such as
                                                                                                    Common Wildebeest, Plains Zebra and Impala. These
                                                                                                    huge herds, in turn, support a healthy population of
                                                                                                    predators, for which Satara is particularly well-known. In
                                                                                                    fact, we have an excellent chance of finding Lion, Leopard,
                                                                                                    Cheetah, Spotted Hyena and the very scarce and highly
                                                                                                    threatened African Wild Dog in this area. High densities
                                                                                                    of other game include Southern Giraffe, Greater Kudu,
                                                                                                    Klipspringer, Bushbuck, Warthog, Chacma Baboon, Vervet
                                                                                                    and Dwarf and Banded Mongooses, to name just a few.

                                                                                                    To the north of Olifants Camp are the Letaba River and its
                                                                                                    associated camp (Letaba), which also offer some excellent
                                                                                                    birding opportunities. Like many other Kruger camps,
                                                                                                    Letaba is also situated right on the river, which ensures
                                                                                                    fabulous access to quality habitat. This camp can be a
African Wild Dog by Adam Riley

                                                                                                    good place to look for African Barred Owlet, African Scops
                                                                                                    Owl and Pearl-spotted Owlet; while the river itself is one of
                                                                                                    the best locations in the park for Grey-rumped Swallow.
                                                                                                    Other good species include White-crowned Lapwing, Red-
                                                                                                    capped Robin-Chat and Green-capped Eremomela.

                                 KRUGER BIRDING & WILDLIFE CHALLENGE ITINERARY                                                                                      7
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SHINGWEDZI          1 NIGHT

                                         Every team will have one night at this lovely camp, which offers excellent birding. Like many of the camps we stay at during
                                         the challenge, it is also situated on a river – the beautiful Shingwedzi, which is often one of the first rivers in the park to stop
                                         flowing during drought years. During wet seasons, however, the river can flow strongly and can be quite a sight. The Shingwedzi
                                         area also offers good access to excellent riverine woodland and thickets, with an extensive road network comprising many
                                         loops and a hide (blind) with wonderful views over the river. Mopane woodland dominates the drier areas away from the river
                                         to the north and south. The river road north of Shingwedzi follows the Mphongolo River, and can offer some good birding
                                         opportunities. Further north, towards Babalala, the
                                         woodlands give way to more open habitat, with
                                         dotted low bushes and grassland, and this area
                                         can be extremely productive as well, particularly
                                         during the mid to late summer months.

                                         Shingwedzi Camp is certainly worth exploring,
                                         especially during the summer months when
                                         migrant warblers are often about, as this is often

                                                                                                                                                                                European Bee-eater by Rich Lindie
                                         a good place to look for Thrush Nightingale. The
                                         camp has also famously produced Collared Palm
                                         Thrush in the past – a mega record for the park
                                         and South Africa. Other regular species include
                                         Red-headed Weaver, Bennett’s Woodpecker and
                                         African Mourning Dove.

                                         Near to Shingwedzi is the Kanniedood Dam, which provides further opportunities to boost the waterbird list. As with most
                                         Kruger dams, the volume of species is water level dependent; however, Kanniedood can often hold a fair variety of waders,
                                         including Marsh Sandpiper and occasionally even the inland race White-fronted Plover. To the south of Shingwedzi is some
                                         excellent grassland and scattered bush habitat, which is generally very good for species such as Red-crested Korhaan, Black-
                                         bellied Bustard, Southern Carmine and European Bee-eaters, Chestnut-backed Sparrow-Lark, Zitting and Desert Cisticolas
                                         and even species such as Dusky and Monotonous Larks, when conditions are right.

                                         To the north of Shingwedzi is another fabulous area of open grassland and scattered bush, which again can produce a variety
                                         of excellent species. During the summer months, species such as European Roller and Red-backed Shrike are commonly
                                         found; while during times of good rainfall, species that appear include Harlequin Quail and African and Corn Crakes. Pallid
                                                                                                         and Montagu’s Harriers, Monotonous and Dusky Larks,
                                                                                                         Amur and Red-footed Falcons and Lesser Kestrel should
                                                                                                         all be carefully sought. Further north towards the junction
                                                                                                         of the H1-8 and the H13-1, there have even been records of
                                                                                                         Black Coucal and Rufous-winged Cisticola – both rare birds
                                                                                                         in Kruger.

                                                                                                             PUNDA MARIA           2 NIGHTS

                                                                                                             The far northern Punda Maria and Pafuri areas, bordering
                                                                                                             Zimbabwe and Mozambique, offer arguably the best birding
                                                                                                             in all of Kruger, and many species that are typically only
                                                                                                             found further north are recorded from this section of the
Broad-billed Roller by Keith Valentine

                                                                                                             park. Punda is situated around a small hill/kopje and even
                                                                                                             the camp offers some fabulous birding. The surrounding
                                                                                                             woodland, which includes the Mahonie Loop, offers up
                                                                                                             wonderful mixed woodland; while some excellent tall
                                                                                                             mopane, that holds a variety of specials, can be found
                                                                                                             between Punda Maria and Klopperfontein and also on the

                                         KRUGER BIRDING & WILDLIFE CHALLENGE ITINERARY                                                                                     8
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main tar road that leads east along the H13-1 to the junction of the main north-south route from Pafuri to Shingwedzi. The
                                      area around Klopperfontein can be extremely productive, as the taller woodlands give way to more open country, with a
                                      number of small wetlands that usually fill up during the rainy seasons. One of the major target zones will also be the stunning
                                      riverine woodland that flanks the Luvhuvhu River. There is a superb road network in this area, which allows for extensive
                                      exploration of this incredible habitat that teams with birds.

                                      The area around the Mahonie Loop and Punda Maria Camp offers
                                      a feast of specials in addition to many of Kruger’s more widespread
                                      species, and good birds to keep an eye out for include Brown-necked
                                      (Grey-headed) Parrot, Eastern Nicator, Narina Trogon, Yellow-bellied
                                      Greenbul, Mosque Swallow, Common House Martin, White-breasted
                                      Cuckooshrike, Stierling’s Wren-Warbler, Broad-billed Roller, Eurasian
                                      Golden Oriole, River Warbler, White Stork, Steppe and Lesser Spotted
                                      Eagles, Eurasian Hobby, African Barred Owlet, Yellow-billed Oxpecker,
                                      Red-collared Widowbird, Long-tailed Paradise Whydah, Bronze-
                                      winged Courser, Double-banded Sandgrouse and Kurrichane (Small)
                                      Buttonquail. Numerous rarities have been reported from this loop before,

                                                                                                                                                                         Dickinson’s Kestrel by Adam Riley
                                      such as Southern Hyliota, African Golden Oriole, Orange-winged Pytilia
                                      and Broad-tailed Paradise Whydah. The area also hosts an incredible
                                      variety of cuckoos; these do, however, become more difficult to find
                                      post-breeding, once they have stopped calling. Species to look out for
                                      include African, Common, Red-chested, Black, Levaillant’s, Jacobin,
                                      Great Spotted, Diederik, Klaas’s and Thick-billed.

                                      To the east of Punda Maria and north towards Klopperfontein are some of the park’s finest mopane woodlands, and it is here
                                      where one stands the best chance of finding specials such as Arnott’s Chat and White-breasted Cuckooshrike. Racket-tailed
                                      Roller has also been seen here but is rare and seldom-recorded. The area around Klopperfonetin always seems to produce
                                      something good, and this is also the best area of the park to look out for Dickinson’s Kestrel; while Senegal Coucal has also
                                      been found here recently. The small wetlands occasionally hold Greater Painted-snipe, Lesser Moorhen and Intermediate
                                      Egret when conditions are favourable; while Three-banded Plover, Little Grebe, White-faced Whistling and Knob-billed Ducks,
                                      Black Crake and African Jacana are usually present.

                                      Further north, the area around Pafuri arguably holds the most exciting birding in all of Kruger. The beautiful Luvhuvhu River
                                      holds an exceptional density of birds, and we will be on the lookout for an incredible variety of common and special species.
                                      The main bridge crossing over the river is a good place to scan for African Finfoot, which can occasionally be seen here;
                                                                                                while Tropical Boubou and Eastern Nicator are regularly seen in the
                                                                                                undergrowth. Overhead, there are often swifts and swallows about;
                                                                                                and whilst Little Swift is commonly seen, the two special spinetails
                                                                                                – Böhm’s and Mottled – which are now rare, should be watched for
                                                                                                carefully in this area. Horus Swift is another good bird to keep an
                                                                                                eye out for. To the north of the river crossing are some large acacias
                                                                                                that often hold Olivetree and Icterine Warblers during the mid to late
                                                                                                summer months; while the rare and often overlooked River Warbler
                                                                                                has also been seen here. Common Whitethroat and Garden Warbler
                                                                                                are two other migratory warblers that are regularly found in the
                                                                                                Pafuri area. There have also been records of Basra Reed Warbler
                                                                                                from the Luvhuvhu; however, this is a rare vagrant.
African Crowned Eagle by Adam Riley

                                                                                                To the south of the bridge is an area of palm-dominated savanna,
                                                                                                where careful observation and patience could be rewarded with a
                                                                                                sighting of the scarce Lemon-breasted Canary, a species that has
                                                                                                a definite association and liking for palm groves. This area is also
                                                                                                good for a variety of other species, such as Meves’s Starling, Crested
                                                                                                Guineafowl and Grey-headed Kingfisher. There is access to roughly

                                      KRUGER BIRDING & WILDLIFE CHALLENGE ITINERARY                                                                                 9
TAKE ME TO: KRUGER BIRDING & WILDLIFE CHALLENGE - Rockjumper Birding Tours
20km of riverine habitat along the Luvhuvhu River, either side of Pafuri Picnic Site, where the birding is simply top-notch. African
Openbill, Woolly-necked, Yellow-billed and Saddle-billed Storks, White-crowned Lapwing, African Crowned and Long-crested
Eagles, African Cuckoo-Hawk, Little Sparrowhawk, African Goshawk, Tambourine Dove, Purple-crested Turaco, Trumpeter
Hornbill, Narina Trogon, African Pygmy Kingfisher, Thick-billed
Cuckoo, Scaly-throated Honeyguide, African Dusky and Ashy
Flycatchers, Grey Tit-Flycatcher, Green-capped Eremomela,
Bearded Scrub Robin, White-browed Robin-Chat, Gorgeous
Bushshrike, Black-throated Wattle-eye and Jameson’s, African
and Red-billed Firefinches, along with their hosts – Purple, Dusky
and Village Indigobirds, are all possible. The Luvhuvhu River also
supports decent numbers of White-backed Night Heron and Pel’s
Fishing Owl, although they are naturally shy and retiring, and can
be tricky to locate.

MOPANI 1 NIGHT

                                                                                                                                       Temminck’s Courser by Markus Lilje
As the name suggests, this area is dominated by mopane
woodland and, in general, doesn’t hold a great variety of
species. The nearby areas of open habitat around Nshawu, for
example, give access to some different habitat, which in turn
often delivers some interesting birds for the park.

Mopani overlooks the Pioneer Dam, and this water feature often attracts a good variety of waterbirds, including Collared
Pratincole, which is a scarce species in Kruger. Recently, the dam has also played host to African Skimmer, a significant
record for Kruger and indeed South Africa. The dam also occasionally turns up an interesting duck or two (most duck
species are generally scarce in Kruger) or African Sacred Ibis (very uncommon in Kruger). Otherwise, many of the region’s
more widespread egrets, herons, storks and waders can be seen at the dam.

The Nshawu area, including the Nshawu Dam, offers some interesting birding, and the area regularly holds Temminck’s
Courser, Chestnut-backed Sparrow-Lark, Kittlitz’s Plover, Collared Pratincole, Caspian Plover, and even Rufous-winged
Cisticola has been seen here. During times when conditions are wet, species such as Harlequin Quail move into the area;
while severe droughts have produced rarities for the park, such as Grey-backed Sparrow-Lark and Lark-like Bunting.

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
AN INTERVIEW WITH BIRDLIFE SOUTH AFRICA’S CEO AND CONSERVATION MANAGER
We are extremely excited to be working closely with BirdLife South Africa regarding the Kruger Challenge. Below are
some comments and thoughts on the event and the Critically Endangered White-winged Flufftail from BirdLife South
Africa’s CEO - Mark D. Anderson and Manager of BirdLife South Africa’s Terrestrial Bird Conservation Programme - Dr
Hanneline Smit-Robinson.

KRUGER BIRDING & WILDLIFE CHALLENGE ITINERARY                                                                                    10
What makes the White-winged Flufftail such a rare bird?
The White-winged Flufftail is a small, elusive bird, only known to occur, with any regularity, in the high-altitude wetlands of
South Africa and Ethiopia. It is one of South Africa’s rarest birds, and it is estimated there are perhaps as few as 250 birds
remaining throughout its global range.

Why is it imperative that we try and save this species?
White-winged Flufftails are listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN and considered to be on the brink of extinction. The
imminent degradation and destruction of White-winged Flufftail habitat, coupled with the species’ low numbers in both
countries, makes its survival in the wild uncertain. Moreover, until recently, only one breeding site for the species was known,
at Berga in Ethiopia, and its continued existence here depends on the ongoing efforts of the Site Support Group to limit
grazing by cattle, sheep and horses, as well as ongoing support for the local community and school. Now, it has been
confirmed that the species is also breeding in South Africa.

No bird species has ever become extinct in Africa during historical times, and we do not want to lose this flufftail!

How can the birding community get involved in saving this iconic species?
Middelpunt Wetland Trust, BirdLife South Africa and the BirdLife partner in Ethiopia, the Ethiopian Wildlife and Natural
History Society, are working with the national governments in South Africa and Ethiopia to raise the profile of the species. A
conservation plan has been mapped for the White-winged Flufftail and the implementation thereof is catalysed through the
AEWA (African Eurasian Waterbird Agreement) White-winged Flufftail International Working Group, currently coordinated by
BirdLife South Africa. The birding community can provide support to the important research and conservation projects which
are being undertaken.

Why is the Kruger Challenge going to be such a fun event?
The Kruger National Park is home to more than 500 bird species - more than half South Africa’s birds and including some
of South Africa’s most threatened. The teams will see many bird species when travelling through the diverse, species-rich
habitats that run through the length of the park. In the summer, the park is visited by almost 200 migratory species; both
palearctic and intra-African migrants. The Kruger National Park also offers some of South Africa’s most spectacular game
viewing opportunities.

What are BirdLife South Africa and Rockjumper trying to achieve through the Kruger Challenge?
BirdLife South Africa and Rockjumper Birding Tours initiated the Kruger Challenge to raise funds for the conservation of
the Critically Endangered White-winged Flufftail. One of the listed activities included in the action plan which details what is
needed to conserve this species is to establish a captive breeding facility for the species at the National Zoological Gardens
(NZG) in Pretoria. It is critically important to master the breeding of the species in captivity in case it becomes necessary to
consider a reintroduction programme in the future.

How are the funds generated from the event going to be used to help save the White-winged Flufftail?
The contributions will help to ensure that the species will never be homeless in the wild. A better understanding of the
species through the study of its biology and behaviour is essential if we are to design and implement effective conservation
programmes in the wild.

IMPORTANT NOTES
THE CHALLENGE COST:
The cost for participating in this fundraising Kruger Birding & Wildlife Challenge is as follows:
R22 950 per person sharing *US$1,950
Single Supplement: R5 250 *US$450

KRUGER BIRDING & WILDLIFE CHALLENGE ITINERARY                                                                                11
WHAT IS INCLUDED:
• All accommodations for 9 nights at the following camps:
     • 2 nights at Berg-en-Dal
     • 1 night at Skukuza
     • 2 nights at Olifants
     • 1 night at Shingwedzi
     • 2 nights at Punda Maria
     • 1 night at Mopani
• Open-air safari vehicles with driver and fuel
• 2 night drives
• Dedicated expert bird and wildlife tour leader per vehicle of 9 team members
• Final night presentation, dinner and drinks at Mopani Camp
• Exciting prizes to be awarded to the top teams, as well as randomly to participants and teams
• Transfers from Johannesburg to your first camp within Kruger and from Mopani back to Johannesburg

WHAT IS EXCLUDED:
• Visa fees
• Any flights
• Daily Conservation and Park Entry fees (a Wild Card can be arranged for those that need one)
• Any meals except for final night dinner in Mopani
• Any drinks except for final night at Mopani
• Insurance - cancellation or medical and related expenses
• Voluntary gratuity for drivers, staff and tour leaders; and
• Telephone calls, laundry and other items of a personal nature

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT:
Please note that there will be limited single accommodations available at certain camps like Punda Maria, and you may
have to share even if you have selected to have single accommodation during these nights of the challenge. The single
supplement cost for this challenge will be charged if you wish to have single accommodation. If we cannot provide you with
a rooming partner for these nights although you choose to share, the single supplement will become applicable. We will make
all reasonable efforts to ensure that a rooming partner is found if you do wish to share.

PLEASE ALSO NOTE:
a) Due to constantly fluctuating exchange rates the challenge price is fixed in ZAR, and the actual cost in other major
   currencies such as US$, Euro and GBP will be adjusted according to prevailing exchange rates at the time of final
   invoicing (usually 4 months before the challenge). The same applies to single supplement rates, which are also quoted
   in the respective fixed currency.
b) These costs are subject to unforeseen increases in challenge related costs and may have to be adjusted as a result.
c) Lastly, we may be forced to change or alter the itinerary and/or the leader(s) at short or no notice due to unforeseen
   circumstances; please be aware that we will attempt to adhere as closely to the original programme as possible.

ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE DETAILS:
This challenge does not include any airfares. The challenge will depart from Johannesburg on day 1 at around 8am
and conclude on day 10 with a transfer from Mopani Camp to Johannesburg after breakfast at around 9am. The above
information in respect of arrivals and departures is a guide only. Precise arrival and departure information will be sent to you
in your Confirmation package once the challenge has been officially confirmed. If you wish to arrive early and/or depart late
and would like assistance in this regard, kindly contact the Rockjumper office.

FLIGHTS:
OR Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg (IATA: JNB) is the main port of entry for international flights into South Africa
and is well serviced by all of the world’s major airlines. IMPORTANT: please DO NOT book your international flights until you
have consulted the Rockjumper office for confirmation on the status of the challenge.

KRUGER BIRDING & WILDLIFE CHALLENGE ITINERARY                                                                                12
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